Genotyping of Avasirkhva, an indigenous Abkhasian grapevine variety

Molecular genotyping of native varieties of Vitis vinifera L. from dierent winegrowing areas is a current trend in the grapevine genetic diversity research. Abkhazia is among the world cradles of tamed grape, and its indigenous gene pool is of particular interest. Avasirkhva is a native Abkhasian grapevine variety mainly grown in the Gudauta District. Te research aimed to obtaining a genetic passport of Avasirkhva grapevine using microsatellite polymorphism data. Te study sampled grape plants from private farmsteads of the Gudauta District. Te plant phenotype corresponded to the variety’s ampelographic description. DNA was isolated from young shoot tip leaves with a CTAB-based protocol. Genotyping was performed with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by capillary fragment separation. High-polymorphic SSR loci (VVS2, VVMD5, VVMD7, VVMD25, VVMD27, VVMD28, VVMD32, VrZAG62, VrZAG79) recommended for grapevine varietal identication were used as markers. Te amplicon size was estimated with an ABI Prism 3130 automated genetic analyser using the GeneMapper and PeakScanner soware and Pinot Noir as a reference variety genotype. Four samples exhibited an identical microsatellite prole. Te microsatellite assay-based genetic passport of the Avasirkhva variety is as follows: VVS2 141-145  VVMD5 234-242  VVMD7 239- 249 , VVMD25 239-249 , VVMD27 184-190 , VVMD28 234-248,  VVMD32 248- 262 , VrZAG62 200-204 , VrZAG79 251-257 . Te obtained passport is unique with respect to the known genotypes in the Vitis International Variety Catalogue (VIVC). A Principal Coordinate Analysis of microsatellite data was used to infer the genetic relationships between Avasirkhva and the Abkhasian varieties Kachich and Azhizhkvakva genotyped in our earlier studies, as well as nine native grapevines of Georgia, the nearest viticultural area. Te Avasirkhva genetic passport can be used in grapevine genotyping studies to clarify the varietal identity.